Tufts Interview Concerns

[nykhansahib]

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Hello all,

I am interviewing for Tufts on Feb 6th, this is my first interview and I am a bit nervous. Can anyone who has interviewed with Tufts already please tell me how the interview was? Did they ask questions about your DAT scores or bad grades? I have been reading the DSN feedback forum for the interviews... but needed some more info.

Also is it a good chance that if ur interview goes well, you get accepted? How many ppl have been accepted who interviewed and when? Thanks for the upcoming responses.

 

[sunnyside77]

Hello all,

I am interviewing for Tufts on Feb 6th, this is my first interview and I am a bit nervous. Can anyone who has interviewed with Tufts already please tell me how the interview was? Did they ask questions about your DAT scores or bad grades? I have been reading the DSN feedback forum for the interviews... but needed some more info.

Also is it a good chance that if ur interview goes well, you get accepted? How many ppl have been accepted who interviewed and when? Thanks for the upcoming responses.

Hey~ i'm interviewing at Tufts on the 7th. i would like to ask the same questions!!!
good luck to you~

 

[Utes]

They don't mention grades or dat scores, they just ask a couple of really laid back questions. It is not a stressful interview at all. A high percentage of people that interview get accepted.

 

[sunnyside77]

They don't mention grades or dat scores, they just ask a couple of really laid back questions. It is not a stressful interview at all. A high percentage of people that interview get accepted.

Thanks for your input. it's such a relief. but i dont have my degree yet (i will get it over the summer), would that affect their decision?

 

[howui3]

we all had 4th year students conduct the interview. very easy and laid back. we talked about me and then i asked questions and we talked about living in Europe and travelling.

don't worry, plus they tell you that about 80% of those interviewed get accepted.

enjoy boston!

 

[RSN-Dentite]

Tufts was my first interview as well and I remember feeling very nervous during the days right before my interview. Trust me, save yourself some worry and don't sweat too much about the interview itself.

My interviewer was a fourth year student who asked questions from a paper he had. Each question that I was asked I had seen before from the interview feedback section of this site and so I was ready. He mostly asked me about things from my AADSAS activities and essay. I'm pretty sure the interviewer does not see the GPA/DAT scores but is looking mostly at your communication skills and personality. Just be your best self. Trust me if he had access to my grades, he would have asked me some dewsies.

Other people in my group were interviewed by a faculty, a faculty + student (probably in training), and by forth year students. Luck of the draw I guess.

The numbers they gave us for last year were: 2956 applicants, 491 interviewed, 283 accepted.

As far as graduating in the summer, I don't think it will be a problem as long as you don't have prerecs (Chem, BIO, etc) from a community college.

I hope all this helps.

 

[Toothinator]

Someone on here posted this the other week under a Tufts thread and I saved it because I originally had a Tufts interview on the 30th, but I withdrew. Hope it helps and good luck!
"Having served on the Admissions Committee last year, there's a few things you should keep in mind:

1. Interviews are blind, ie: the interviewer does NOT have access to your GPA and DATS. It's set up so they can evaluate your character, communication skills, motivation, exposure/ commitment to dentistry and one other category that I forget. Don't reheirse answers, it's pretty obvious. Speak from your heart.

2. The interviewer can range from a faculty member to a 4th year high standing student. Students generally score higher unless you get that one aho$#. "

 

[Bronco]

Hello all,

I am interviewing for Tufts on Feb 6th, this is my first interview and I am a bit nervous. Can anyone who has interviewed with Tufts already please tell me how the interview was? Did they ask questions about your DAT scores or bad grades? I have been reading the DSN feedback forum for the interviews... but needed some more info.

Also is it a good chance that if ur interview goes well, you get accepted? How many ppl have been accepted who interviewed and when? Thanks for the upcoming responses.

Read the interview feedback my desi brotha.

All I can tell you is that I was interviewed by a 4th year and it wasn't an interview but a conversation. The 4th year was telling me how he is in the same situation b/c he was interviewing himself to specialize. So he understood how it is. We also talked about life in Boston and what to expect from Tufts. There is nothing to worry or stress about. I guess it depends on who interviews you. Just look at the feedback and the rest should be fine.

Toothanator is right. They don't have access to your grades or DAT score. So they do read your personal statment to get a better understanding of you and they refer back to your PS often.

 

[donkeywhisperer]

I know this is the same thing everyone else put, but yeah I was interviewed by a student too. She was really really nice. She just asked me questions about my personal statement and shadowing experience. There was absolutely no stress to the interview. The best part for me was the lunch witht the other students. They all seemed like they got along really well with eachother and were very friendly with all the interviewee's. A couple of them even told me to call them up when I got accepted and they'd help me find a place to live. I loved the school. The new sim lab looked awesome, and the clinic looked new. I've heard people say that the neighborhood is not nice, but I thought it was fine. The school is in this really cool building too. The one thing I didn't like was the hotel I stayed in. It was called The Milner, and it was a hole. I mean, I expected them to charge me by the hour.
Hope this helps

 

[howui3]

Someone on here posted this the other week under a Tufts thread and I saved it because I originally had a Tufts interview on the 30th, but I withdrew. Hope it helps and good luck!
"Having served on the Admissions Committee last year, there's a few things you should keep in mind:

1. Interviews are blind, ie: the interviewer does NOT have access to your GPA and DATS. It's set up so they can evaluate your character, communication skills, motivation, exposure/ commitment to dentistry and one other category that I forget. Don't reheirse answers, it's pretty obvious. Speak from your heart.

2. The interviewer can range from a faculty member to a 4th year high standing student. Students generally score higher unless you get that one aho$#. "

The part 1 is FALSE! It might have been done like that in the past, but during my interview each of the 4th year interviewers had a few papers with all your info, grades, scores, shadowing, etc. They where looking through it during the lunch break to get familiar with your stats.

My 4th year student did not really ask me anything, we talked about my background, my research, etc. It was very informal.

Bittom line, the interview is NOT blind, they have your file in front of them, at least during my interview. And all of us had 4th year students do the interview, and taking to others, it was a good experience, we all felt good about the interview.

Good luck and hope it helps.

 

[Toothinator]

I think thats what he said that they have your file minus your GPA and DAT scores...who knows.

 

[lingling]

I can guarantee you that part 1 is TRUE. I was on the Committee last year and conducted over 20 interviews. We have printouts of your personal statement and ASDAS info about activities, community service, etc. Your grades and Boards scores are NOT on that 4-5 page sheets. The purpose of the interview is to get to know you as a person, evaluate your communication skills, motivation for dentistry, leadership potential, etc. It is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the school.

Grades and boards scores DON'T come into play until the committee meets the Thursday one week after your interview. That said, 95% of the 4th year students that conduct the interviews are not invited to the meeting. They submit a score and written comments from your interview (it was out of 25 last year). I'm not going to go into details about how the admission procedure works because I'm sure Mark and Dr. Thompson wouldn't appreciate that, but rest assure that the interviewer (faculty or student) does NOT have access to your grades and DATs.

It's a very laid back interview. Try to learn as much about the school as you can. Talk to seniors if you can. Best of luck.

The part 1 is FALSE! It might have been done like that in the past, but during my interview each of the 4th year interviewers had a few papers with all your info, grades, scores, shadowing, etc. They where looking through it during the lunch break to get familiar with your stats.

My 4th year student did not really ask me anything, we talked about my background, my research, etc. It was very informal.

Bittom line, the interview is NOT blind, they have your file in front of them, at least during my interview. And all of us had 4th year students do the interview, and taking to others, it was a good experience, we all felt good about the interview.

Good luck and hope it helps.

 

[DUBS]

I know this is the same thing everyone else put, but yeah I was interviewed by a student too. She was really really nice. She just asked me questions about my personal statement and shadowing experience. There was absolutely no stress to the interview. The best part for me was the lunch witht the other students. They all seemed like they got along really well with eachother and were very friendly with all the interviewee's. A couple of them even told me to call them up when I got accepted and they'd help me find a place to live. I loved the school. The new sim lab looked awesome, and the clinic looked new. I've heard people say that the neighborhood is not nice, but I thought it was fine. The school is in this really cool building too. The one thing I didn't like was the hotel I stayed in. It was called The Milner, and it was a hole. I mean, I expected them to charge me by the hour.
Hope this helps

hey donkeywhisperer....i also interviewed at tufts on jan. 9....might see you there in the fall

 

[steve0036]

Hello all,

I am interviewing for Tufts on Feb 6th, this is my first interview and I am a bit nervous. Can anyone who has interviewed with Tufts already please tell me how the interview was? Did they ask questions about your DAT scores or bad grades? I have been reading the DSN feedback forum for the interviews... but needed some more info.

Also is it a good chance that if ur interview goes well, you get accepted? How many ppl have been accepted who interviewed and when? Thanks for the upcoming responses.

I did my interview last week and it was very much laid back. just relax and be urself

 

[howui3]

check out this thread, it should help alleviate any of your concerns:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=255074

 

[fancymylotus]

The part 1 is FALSE! It might have been done like that in the past, but during my interview each of the 4th year interviewers had a few papers with all your info, grades, scores, shadowing, etc. They where looking through it during the lunch break to get familiar with your stats.

My 4th year student did not really ask me anything, we talked about my background, my research, etc. It was very informal.

Bittom line, the interview is NOT blind, they have your file in front of them, at least during my interview. And all of us had 4th year students do the interview, and taking to others, it was a good experience, we all felt good about the interview.

Good luck and hope it helps.

most definately. my ex is one of the aforementioned fourth years who does interviews,and he said that they do see grades/scores/etc.

 

[nykhansahib]

thanks a lot for all the great info ppl.... 👍

wish me luck... i really want to get accepted to Tufts!

 

[fancymylotus]

thanks a lot for all the great info ppl.... 👍

wish me luck... i really want to get accepted to Tufts!

 

[Bronco]

It's a very laid back interview. Try to learn as much about the school as you can. Talk to seniors if you can. Best of luck.

Hey lingling. Some SDN members say that the students at Tufts are in a very "competitive" and "cut-throat" enviornment, always trying to do better then the next person. When I went to the interview, I saw the opposite of this and saw many students work together to help each other out. Whats the real deal? 🙂

 

[lingling]

Hey lingling. Some SDN members say that the students at Tufts are in a very "competitive" and "cut-throat" enviornment, always trying to do better then the next person. When I went to the interview, I saw the opposite of this and saw many students work together to help each other out. Whats the real deal? 🙂

My answer is, "go with your instincts". I don't think you'll find a dental school in the US where the top 10% is not competitive. There are only so many ortho and oral surgery residencies to go around. I'll be honest you, I thought Tufts was pretty competitive until I went on orthodontic interviews and realized how much more cut-throat other programs are.

My experience at Tufts was positive. My friends and I helped each other out as much as possible and often made notes for the entire class. I'm sure that if you attend Tufts, my Histo, Oral Path, Medicine, etc, etc notes will be passed on to you.

Best luck

 

[IlliniSam]

hey donkeywhisperer....i also interviewed at tufts on jan. 9....might see you there in the fall

I was there on the 9th too...it was a good school. Enjoyed the interview.

 

[fightingspirit]

the most important advice i can give you is to REFRAIN from going on and on in your answers to the questions asked. if you do so you'll appear as someone who's trying to hide something, or bull****ting, and you'll set yourself up. just be brief, listen to the interviewer's question carefully, and think for a few seconds before you open your mouth. lengthy answers prevent the interviewer from asking all the questions he/she had in mind, and that annoys the hell out of them.....

 

[Missserica]

the most important advice i can give you is to REFRAIN from going on and on in your answers to the questions asked. if you do so you'll appear as someone who's trying to hide something, or bull****ting, and you'll set yourself up. just be brief, listen to the interviewer's question carefully, and think for a few seconds before you open your mouth. lengthy answers prevent the interviewer from asking all the questions he/she had in mind, and that annoys the hell out of them.....

good advice. there is an interviewer at Tufts that tries to give the student a hard time to see how he or she will react. so, keep your cool.